(MENAFN- Colombo Gazette) Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is to contest the upcoming Presidential election.
The JVP leader was named as a candidate at the National People's Power (NPP) rally held at Galle Face in Colombo today.
This is the first time the JVP is nominating a Presidential candidate in nearly 20 years.
Nandana Gunatilake contested the Presidential elections in 1999 on behalf of the JVP and came third.
Thousands attended the rally in Colombo today and greeted Dissanayake as he entered the venue after it was announced that he will be contesting the elections.
Speaking later Dissanayake assured that he will not betray the faith the public have placed on him.
He urged Sri Lankans to chose the right path at the upcoming elections.
Dissanayake noted that today there is a call for an alternative political force in Sri Lanka and the National People's Power (NPP) will look to fill that space.
He said that the country can change only if the minds of the people change and that change must happen at the next election.
The JVP leader noted that the country is today divided based on race, religion and sex.
However, he said the JVP will look to unite all communities and will also take steps to unite the entire nation.
Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the other candidate confirmed so far for the elections.
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